Linux

If a Computer Won't Start from a CD, DVD or USB Drive

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Partitioning

Live CDs for Partitioning

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Linux

Live CDs for Partitioning

Warning

When partitioning or formatting a drive, you will lose everything on it. Save a copy of all files you want to keep.

If you unintentionally select the wrong drive, you will lose everything on it. Be sure you select the correct drive.

Live CDs for Partitioning

GParted and Parted Magic are live CDs for partitioning and formatting hard drives and USB drives. They both use the GParted partitioning program. Those wanting to partition hard drives or USB drives, may download and use one of these.

For more information on GParted, and downloads, see http://gparted.sourceforge.net/.

For more information on Parted Magic, and downloads, see http://partedmagic.com/.

There are also versions which can be run from USB drives.

Using GParted

If the computer has only one drive, you will see the information for that drive when GParted starts.

If the computer has more than one drive, ensure you select the correct drive before partitioning or formatting.

If you plug a USB drive into the computer after starting GParted, click "Refresh Drives."

Active or Boot Flag

When running Windows, the partition needs to be set "active." When installing newer versions of Windows, this is done automatically. With older versions of Windows, this needs to be done manually.

There may be other situations where this is required. For example, when running Slax on a FAT 16 or FAT 32 filesystem.

"Active" in Windows is the same as "boot" in GParted. After partitioning and formatting the drive, right click on the drive, and click "Manage flags." Click on the square preceeding boot, so it has a tick in it.

Make Your Own Partitioning CD

If you want to make your own partitioning CD, with a different selection of programs than those already available, this can easily be done using Tiny Core. For more information, see Make a live CD with Programs. If prefer it on a USB drive, see Install Tiny Core on a USB Drive.

For more information about partitioning hard drives and USB drives see Partitioning.

© Copyright Guy Shipard 2008 - 2009